Forming curtains

ABSTRACT

A curtain system is assembled from a plurality of flexible curtain segments each having a length, and a width substantially shorter than the length. The segments are connected to a bar shaped light transmissive curtain segment carrier having an elongate body through which is formed a plurality of apertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each other and sized to frictionally retain, without a fastener, a gathered width of a curtain segment with sufficient force to prevent passage of the curtain segment through the aperture due to gravity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of related U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/728,120, filed Nov. 19, 2012, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to flexible curtains, dividers, or partitions,and more particularly to suspended fabric curtains.

BACKGROUND

Curtains or drapes are large panels of material, typically cloth orfabric, which may be hung to block or deter passage of light, wind,precipitation, heat or sound for example. A variety of curtain stylesare available depending on the setting and required function of thecurtain such as flat panel, tab top, grommet, sash, and thermalcurtains. Hanging curtains often require custom fitting, requiringextensive measurements as well as ordering custom built fixtures inorder to support the curtains. Even with pre-made standard sizes, thehanging of curtains can take a significant amount of time and labor.Fixtures for hanging curtains are available in a variety of stylesranging from simple adjustable rods, such as those commonly found inbathrooms, to substantially more complex and ornate devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a curtain system,comprises a plurality of flexible curtain segments each having a length,and a width substantially shorter than the length; and a curtain segmentcarrier having an elongate body through which is formed a plurality ofapertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each otherand sized to frictionally retain a gathered width of a curtain segmentwith sufficient force to prevent passage of the curtain segment throughthe aperture due to gravity.

In various embodiments thereof, the carrier is an elongate bar, and theplurality of apertures are linearly aligned; the curtain system furtherincludes a hanger connectable to the carrier, the hanger configured toconnect to a structure when the curtain system is installed upon thestructure; the carrier is connectable to an aperture of the carrier; thespaced apertures are circular or oval and have a width substantiallyless than a width of a curtain segment; the carrier is flexible and canbe bent to conform to a desired non-linear configuration; the carrier isone of partially opaque or transparent, and transmits light; the curtainsegments transmit light; and the curtain system further includes atleast one clip attachable to a curtain segment proximate an aperturethrough which the curtain segment is passed, to further secure thecurtain segment within the aperture.

In yet further embodiments thereof, the curtain system further includesa light connected to the carrier, the light positioned to transmit lightthrough the carrier; curtain segments are retained by the carrierwithout a requirement of a fastener; the carrier is fabricated with aresilient material; the curtain system further includes a resilientmaterial disposed within one or more apertures; the curtain systemfurther includes a clip connected to at least one curtain segment, theclip configured to spread material of the curtain segment proximate anaperture through which the curtain segment is passed; the carrier isformed into a ring shape; the carrier is bent sideways to form a curvedshape; the curtain system further includes at least one slot, each ofthe at least one slot forming an opening extending from within anaperture to an exterior of the carrier, whereby a curtain segment ispassable into the aperture through the slot; and the at least one slotis wedge shaped.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a curtain system comprises aplurality of flexible curtain segments each having a length, and a widthsubstantially shorter than the length;

-   -   a bar shaped light transmissive curtain segment carrier having        an elongate body through which is formed a plurality of        apertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each        other and sized to frictionally retain, without a fastener, a        gathered width of a curtain segment with sufficient force to        prevent passage of the curtain segment through the aperture due        to gravity.

A method of the disclosure of forming a curtain comprises connecting abar shaped curtain segment carrier having an elongate body through whichis formed a plurality of apertures, a plurality of the apertures spacedrelative to each other, to a supporting structure; and gathering andpassing a plurality of flexible curtain segment each into an apertures,the apertures sized to frictionally retain, without a fastener, thegathered width of a curtain segment with sufficient force to preventpassage of the curtain segment through the aperture due to gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a curtain system in accordance with thedisclosure, without curtain segments present;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the curtain system of FIG. 1, with curtainsegments, light sources, and hangers present;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section view of the curtain system of FIG. 1,taken along line A-A;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the curtain system of FIG. 1 includingadditional securing members;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a planar ring shaped embodiment of acurtain system in accordance with the disclosure, showing a singlecurtain segment installed;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a sideways ring-shaped embodiment of acurtain system in accordance with the disclosure, showing a singlecurtain segment installed;

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a segment of a curtain system of thedisclosure, showing a flexible carrier supporting curtain segments;

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an angled carrier section, in accordancewith the disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts the carrier section of FIG. 8, further includingsupporting tabs and an alternative aperture configuration;

FIG. 10 depicts a curtain system of the disclosure, including aplurality of curtain segments forming a curtain section, the systeminstalled within a large structure; and

FIG. 11 depicts a carrier of the disclosure, provided with wedge shapedslots through which curtain segments may be passed to be installedwithin the carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples andthat the systems and methods described below can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present subjectmatter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function.Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to belimiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of theconcepts.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein,is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically.

A curtain hanging system of the disclosure includes a plurality ofcurtain segments, a carrier having a plurality of apertures through thecarrier, at least one curtain segment receivable through each aperture,each aperture configured to hold the received curtain from a frictionalforce between the wall of the aperture and the outward pressure of agathered or bunched curtain segment, and a hanger attachable to thecarrier for securing the carrier to a surface. A method of hangingcurtains is further described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a curtain system 100includes a series of elongate curtain segments 110, a carrier 120, and ahanger 130. Included in carrier 120 is a series of apertures 122pre-drilled, molded, cast, or otherwise formed within carrier 120. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, carrier 120 is a sturdy and elongate supporthaving a plurality of apertures 122 disposed in a spaced apartconfiguration, for example in a substantially spaced apart lineararrangement. Apertures 122 are sized to receive an end of curtainsegment 110 therethrough. Intervals between apertures 122 areillustrated as substantially constant throughout carrier 120, however itshould be appreciated the distance between apertures 122 may also havevariable spacing, or may be formed in patterns or groups.

Aperture 122 is sized relative to a curtain segment 110, or vice versa,so that when curtain segment 110 is bunched or gathered along its width,to form a bundle having a predetermined thickness, segment 110 may bepassed through aperture 122 and then be permitted to expand andfrictionally engage carrier 120 within aperture 122, to be therebyretained within aperture 122. Curtain segment 120 is further secured byexpanding to a width greater in size than aperture 122 both above andbelow carrier 120, whereby a force is required to displace segment 110relative to carrier 120. Some curtain segment 110 material may exhibitresiliency when bunched, thereby exerting additional force againstinterior walls 176 of aperture 122 when gathered and compressed withinaperture 122. Similarly, aperture 122 can include a resilient material178, as illustrated for aperture 122A of FIG. 6. Alternatively oradditionally, carrier 120 can be composed of a resilient material.

Thus, in accordance with the disclosure, curtain segments 110, andtherefore an entire curtain section 160, can be supported by the carrierwithout a fastener. Accordingly, no pins, hooks, links, clips, snaps orother such discrete fastener is required in order to attach and suspendsegments 110 to carrier 120. While clips can be used within system 100,as described herein, they are not required in order to carry out acurtain system of the disclosure.

Carrier 120 may be constructed or molded from a variety of materialsincluding, but not limited to, metal, plastic, glass, cement, wood,acrylic, and composite materials. The materials of carrier 120, in someembodiments, may be opaque, semi-opaque, semi-transparent, or at leastsubstantially transparent in order to facilitate a particular desiredillumination effect by transmitting light therethrough, and/or along itslength. Exemplary lighting is shown in FIG. 1, including any or all of alighting element 124 disposed above one or more of curtain segments 110,or disposed within (124A), partially within, or disposed upon (124B) asurface of carrier 120. Lighting element 124 may be fastened to support120, or may be supported on another structure. Each lighting element124/124A/124B may be individually filtered to provide variable coloredlighting in order to create an aesthetic or functional illuminationeffect.

Curtain segments 110, depending on the selected fabric, may conduct orfurther transmit illumination provided by lighting element 124. Itshould be understood that curtain segment 110 may be made, constructed,or woven from any known or to be developed fabric or material suitablefor creating curtains, partitions, or other hanging dividers. In manylocales, the fabric or material must be fire retardant. Lights of sameor varied color can be positioned to shine through or along carrier 120and curtain segments 110, to produce decorative or entertaining lightingeffects.

Hanger 130 is provided for affixing carrier 120 to a surface 132, forexample a surface of a building or temporary edifice. In the illustratedembodiment, carrier 130 is a clip or fastener attachable to an endaperture 122 at a first end of hanger 130 and securable to surface 132at a second end of hanger 130. Hanger 130 may be made from the same ordifferent material as carrier 120. Hanger 130 may also be attached tocarrier 120 at areas separate from, or cooperative with aperture 122.For example, hanger 130 may include two opposing surfaces forinterposing carrier 120 therebetween. Hanger 130 also may include anadhesive material for securing hanger 130 to carrier 120, surface 132,or both.

In addition to hanger 130, carrier 120 may be further held at a heightor distance from support 120 through strings, rods, wires, or brackets,and can be used in combination with a pulley system (not shown) attachedto carrier 120. The pulley system can be attached to an aperture 122, oranother location upon support 120, to facilitate hanging carrier 120from a ceiling or other surface 132 which is difficult to access. A thinwire support system can provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance,while enabling movement of carrier 120, such as rotation of theembodiment of FIG. 5, depending on the positioning of the wire system.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, curtain segment 110 is held within aperture122 by frictional forces alone from at least a portion of the walls ofaperture 122. The opening to aperture 122 is sufficiently wide toreceive an end of curtain segment 110 through the aperture, whilesufficiently narrow to assert frictional contact against curtain 122,thereby pinching or pressing the curtain within aperture 122 in order tomaintain its position. Aperture 122 may be substantially cylindrical, ormay have an oval, polygonal, triangular, star shaped, rectangular, orany other shape. As a result of the frictional force applied from asufficiently narrow diameter of aperture 122, curtain segment 110 has abunching effect immediately proximate the ends of aperture 122 exteriorof carrier 120. This bunching effect permits a splaying of the curtain,resulting in both an effective partition as well as an ornamentaleffect. The splaying effect may be further adjusted by providingapertures 122 in any of the aforementioned variety of shapes, inaddition to or in the alternative to the circular shape illustrated.Additional shapes of apertures 122 further adjust the aperture wallsurface area contacting curtain segment 110, thereby varying thefrictional forces applied to curtain segment 110. It should beunderstood that carrier 120 may have apertures of 122 of a single shapeor a variety of shapes.

While a relatively short amount of curtain segment 110 has been pulledthrough aperture 122 relative to a total length of curtain segment 110,in the drawings, a relatively shorter or substantially longer segmentmay be pulled through in a desired application. Moreover, a length maybe passed through an aperture 122 of one carrier 120, and then passedthrough another aperture 122 of another carrier 120, creating a widervariety of decorative effects or providing additional screening,protection, privacy, or other utility.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, one or more apertures 122may further include at least one constricting device, such as a reducingwasher 126, or clip 126A (collectively clip 126), positioned proximatean aperture 122 for clipping or pinching a received curtain segment 110.Clip 126 permits curtain segments 110 formed from material lesssusceptible to retention by the frictional forces of aperture 122, suchas slippery material or curtains formed from less dense material thanwould otherwise be tightly gathered by aperture 122, to be adequatelysecured or maintained within aperture 122 by support 120. Although shownabove support 120, clip 126 can be provided at a bottom surface ofcarrier 120, clip 126 supported within aperture 126 or otherwisefastened to support 120. In this manner, clip 126 may also be used forfurther adjusting the direction, shape, or profile of the hangingportion of curtain segment 110. The leftmost curtain is illustrated witha wavy broken line to emphasize that curtain segments 110 can be of anylength.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7, it may be seen that carrier 120 may befabricated using a flexible or non-rigid material, and can be bent toassume various non-linear forms using flexible material, or may befabricated in such non-linear shapes using rigid material. As can beseen in FIG. 5, carrier 120 forms a flat ring shape. Only a singlecurtain segment 110 is illustrated, for clarity; it should be understoodthat any number of apertures 122 can be provided with a curtain segment110.

In FIG. 6, carrier 120 is an elongated element turned sideways relativeto the earth and bent into an enclosed ring shape form, althoughsemi-circular or non-closed configurations can be similarly formed. Asin FIG. 5, only a single curtain segment 110 is shown, with theprotruding portion 110A extending through aperture 122 at a likesideways angle, at least initially. The carrier 120 of this embodimentmay be hung from a wire or other suspension or affixing system. In anembodiment, the embodiment of FIG. 6 can be suspended from a pivoting,rotatable, or twistable member, thereby permitting rotation and othermovements of carrier 120 and received curtain segments 110, thusproviding other functional and aesthetic effects, as described furtherherein. Examples of usage include, for example, a ring shape, such asshown, encircling a pillar or other such non-moveable object, or asemi-circle, suspended behind a chair, desk, or displayed object.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flexible carrier bent to form portions which can beaffixed to rest at varying elevations, thus permitting hanging ofreceived curtain segments 110 at a variety of elevations. This can beeffective over or adjacent to ramps, stairs, stages, and other unevensurfaces.

In FIG. 8, carrier 120 bent, stamped, cut, or otherwise formed to definean angle which is adapted to be placed within a corner, or to form acorner of a partition, using suspended curtain segments 110. It shouldbe understood that a variety of angles, formations, arrangements, anddesigns are contemplated by forming carrier 120 with flexible and orrigid material in any combination of the embodiments described herein.For example, an angular carrier 120 segment, similar to that of FIG. 8or 9, may be formed by bending a section of carrier 120 sideways, asshown and described with respect to FIG. 5.

In an embodiment, once carrier 120 is formed into a desired design,shape, or pattern, flexible carrier 120 may be then hardened, throughknown or to be developed hardening methods, for example UV curing, inorder to transform a flexible carrier 120 into a rigid carrier 120,having a non-linear arrangement. Alternatively, carrier 120 may beflexible or bendable in order to permit a user to manipulate or bendcarrier 120 as desired when installing curtain system 100, and the shapemaintain by fastening carrier to a supporting structure in the desiredconfiguration.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carrier 120 similar to the carrier of FIG. 8, andfurther including fastener clips or tabs 134 connected to or extendingfrom carrier 120. Tab 134A includes a mounting aperture 136 within tab134A, through which a screw, bolt, wire, clip, tie-wrap, or otherfastener may be passed to secure carrier to an available supportstructure, or to another carrier 120. Tab 134B is provided with anaperture 122 which can be used for mounting, or alternatively forreceiving a curtain segment 100 as described herein. As may be seen inFIG. 9, apertures 122 do not need to be the same size, enabling artisticor decorative effects using a mix of curtain fabrics. In an embodiment,carrier 120 may be provided without apertures 122, there being providedapertures 122 only upon tabs 134. Alternatively, as shown, apertures canbe provided on carrier 120 so that a combination of apertures 122 oncarrier 120 and fasteners 134 can be used to hang curtains segments 110.A carrier 120 can include apertures 122 of different size as well asmounting apertures 136.

Curtain system 100 as described herein may be used in a variety ofindustries and applications including, for example, party events;entertainment events and venues; window coverings and room separationsin buildings and homes; architectural applications; manufacturingbarriers; welding protection; and privacy and health barriers in medicalapplications. System 100 may also be utilized in decoration of bothinterior and exterior settings. Non-limiting examples are shown in FIGS.8-28.

With reference to FIG. 10, an exemplary installation of a curtain system100 of the disclosure is shown within a building 158, for example withina warehouse, office, living room, bedroom, or other dwelling orstructure. Curtain segments 110 form an extended curtain section 160. Inthis manner, an area can be quickly decorated, or an unfinished orundecorated space can be rendered attractive or suitable for a varietyof uses. Access to a door 162 or other object can be facilitated byretracting one or more curtain segments 110, and retaining the retractedsegments with a binder 164, for example a loop of fabric similar to thatof curtain segments 110.

A wire, rod, or other elongated support 170 can be attached at one endto building 158, for example to a ceiling or other structure of building158, and the other end can be connected to carrier 120, for examplethrough one or more of aperture 120 or mounting aperture 136, or passedabout an exterior of carrier 120. Alternatively or additionally, one ormore mounting brackets, for example an L-bracket 172, can be attached toa surface of building 158, and can be directly connected to carrier 120,for example with a nut and bolt, or can be attached to carrier 120 usinga wire, rod, or other elongated fastener.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of a carrier 120includes a notch or slot 180 extends from an interior of an aperture 122to an exterior of carrier 120. In this manner, a curtain segment 110 canbe inserted into an interior of aperture 122 through slot 180 sideways,as opposed to endwise as with a closed aperture, and may thus beinserted along any portion of its length. Once inserted, curtain segment110 is frictionally secured as described elsewhere herein.

Slot 180 is illustrated to be sufficiently wide to readily and rapidlyadmit passage of curtain segment 110 material or fabric, in at least apartially bunched, wadded, or gathered state, and is wedge shaped togather and compress the material so that it may enter aperture 122 andthen re-expand to be retained within aperture 122 with a predeterminedforce. Slot 180 can be wedge shaped, as shown, or can be rectilinear, orhave any other shape. Further, a wider slot can facilitate entry ofcurtain segment 110, but where the slot intersects aperture 122, somegripping force is lost. Thus, a compromise between ease of insertion andholding force can be determined based upon the materials used and therelative thickness and frictional characteristics of the material ofcurtain segment 110, and the thickness and frictional characteristics ofcarrier 120. In an embodiment, slot 180 can approximate the width of aflattened panel of the material of curtain segment 110, and thusmaterial of curtain segment 110 must be inserted serially in a flattenedstate, without bunching.

The system according to the present disclosure provides a curtain forprivacy, decoration, or protection, that is relatively quick and easy toinstall relative to the prior art, and which can be simply configuredand reconfigured at the installation location. Further, as the systemaccording to the present disclosure can rely on friction to secure acurtain segment, a safety release feature is provided. Specifically, ifa curtain becomes caught or tangled with a person or an object, thefriction curtain segment mounting force can be overcome (before failureof the curtain material and/or failure of the carrier) so that thecurtain falls harmlessly. With prior art systems, in which the curtainis more fixedly attached to its mounting hardware, there is a greaterpossibility for injury, for example entanglement, tripping, or otherhazard which could otherwise be avoided by removing one or more segments110 in accordance with the disclosure.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentdisclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above tothe contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawingsare not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teachings without departing from the scope andspirit of the disclosure.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference intheir entirety. In addition, unless mention was made above to thecontrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings arenot to scale. There are many different features to the presentdisclosure and it is contemplated that these features may be usedtogether or separately. Thus, the disclosure should not be limited toany particular combination of features or to a particular application ofthe disclosure. Further, it should be understood that variations andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure might occurto those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by oneversed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are withinthe scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be included asfurther embodiments of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A curtain system, comprising: a plurality offlexible curtain segments each having a length, and a widthsubstantially shorter than the length; and a curtain segment carrierhaving an elongate body through which is formed a plurality ofapertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each otherand sized to frictionally retain a gathered width of a curtain segmentwith sufficient force to prevent passage of the curtain segment throughthe aperture due to gravity.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thecarrier is an elongate bar, and the plurality of apertures are linearlyaligned.
 3. The system of claim 2, further including a hangerconnectable to the carrier, the hanger configured to connect to astructure when the curtain system is installed upon the structure. 4.The system of claim 3, wherein the carrier is connectable to an apertureof the carrier.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the spaced aperturesare circular or oval and have a width substantially less than a width ofa curtain segment.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier isflexible and can be bent to conform to a desired non-linearconfiguration.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is one ofpartially opaque or transparent, and transmits light.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the curtain segments transmit light.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one clip attachable to a curtainsegment proximate an aperture through which the curtain segment ispassed, to further secure the curtain segment within the aperture. 10.The system of claim 1, further including a light connected to thecarrier, the light positioned to transmit light through the carrier. 11.The system of claim 1, wherein curtain segments are retained by thecarrier without a requirement of a fastener.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the carrier is fabricated with a resilient material.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, further including a resilient material disposedwithin one or more apertures.
 14. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding a clip connected to at least one curtain segment, the clipconfigured to spread material of the curtain segment proximate anaperture through which the curtain segment is passed.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the carrier is formed into a ring shape.
 16. The systemof claim 1, wherein the carrier is bent sideways to form a curved shape.17. A curtain system, comprising: a plurality of flexible curtainsegments each having a length, and a width substantially shorter thanthe length; and a bar shaped light transmissive curtain segment carrierhaving an elongate body through which is formed a plurality ofapertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each otherand sized to frictionally retain, without a fastener, a gathered widthof a curtain segment with sufficient force to prevent passage of thecurtain segment through the aperture due to gravity.
 18. A method offorming a curtain, comprising: connecting a bar shaped curtain segmentcarrier having an elongate body through which is formed a plurality ofapertures, a plurality of the apertures spaced relative to each other,to a supporting structure; and gathering and passing a plurality offlexible curtain segment each into an apertures, the apertures sized tofrictionally retain, without a fastener, the gathered width of a curtainsegment with sufficient force to prevent passage of the curtain segmentthrough the aperture due to gravity.